Body striping



E. J. HOYOS BODY STRIPING March 21, 1933.

3 Sheets-Sheet V l Filed May 1928 March 21, 1933.

E. J. HOYOS BODY STRIPING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Illlll March ;21, 1933.

E. J. HoYo BODY STRIPING Filed May 18 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet I 3 L 'IIQ III4 I Inva/2601:' &muri; 2 7 1.

C W %91: flrn ey&

' contignous stripes of diflerent colors on N'ranf STATES PATENT OFFICE MES J. EOYOS, OF BOSTON', WCHUBMTS, .ASSIGNOB TO HUMOR' HOME cu COMPANY, OF DETBOIT, nonem, A COBPORATION OI' HICEIGAI' nonr arme Application filed May 18, 1928. Serial No. 278310.

This invention relates to a new method and apparatus particularly adapted for the purpose of applying stri es or band designs to automobile bodies. n the manufacture of automobiles it is the practice, after the body has been lacquered or painted, to apply one or more decorative stripes of any desired color combinations to the body along or adjacent the belt line or other moldings, or around the window reveals. In most body plants this work is done by skilled, highly paid specialists or artists who apply the stripes and combinations 'of stripes by free hand usin special brushes. This practice has prove very expensive, since it has added considerably to the cost of production so that edorts have recently been made to devise special devices for painting the stripes on the body, with the view to reducing the cost of the work by enabling cheaper labo` to be employed; Such devices however tend to clog and get out of order and are limited in the width oi stripe capable of being made. De- 'ective strping is requent since the evenness and uniformity oi the stripe depends largely on the hand and eye of the workman( lrrespective of whether either of these methods is employed, namel free hand striping or painting the stripe y means oil special devices, many objections and disadvantages to this practice are found. For examle, where it is desired to apply three stri es including an intermediate stripe of one co or and narrower or hair line border stripes of adifierent color, this must be done in three separate o erations. It has been impossible to apply a order line stripe of diflerent color until the paint of the stripe to be bordered has dried. Moreover, since in striping automobile bodies the painting is done on nearly a vertical surface, it has not been :found practicable to paint simultaneously two or more account of the paint running to ther. In making superposed stripes of di erent colors, one wider than the other, it has been necessary 'to perform this work in two separate Operations, while allowing the paint to dry i between Operations. i i

Another disadvantage oi present day methods is that this form of decorative work has been limited to line stripes or continuous color lines, smce any other form of decorative band carrying some distinctive or artistic design would re'quire considerable time and great skill, and would therefore be prohibitive under conditions of mass production.

One of the objects of this invention is to overcome the foregoing objections and disadvantages, and to provide a method and apparatus whereby the striping of bodies may e more cheaply and more rapidly accomplished, and as a result of which a wider latitude will be permitted in the character of stripe or band design capable of being applied to the body.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings formin a part of this specfication wherein like re erence characters designate corresponding parte in the several views.

lFig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention and illustrated in position for applying a stripe or band design to an automobile body panel.

Fig. 2 is a central sectional elevation of the Construction shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view illustratin the manner of mounting the presser rolls.

igs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary viesvcvs illustrating a strip or tape carrying a ri or design and adapted to be a plied to the &dyt l g. 6 is' a plan view o the construction shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View illustrating the manner of supplying fluid to the moistendevice.

ig. 8 is a section taken on line 8--8 Fg. 6, in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional viewillstrating an adjustment or the guide.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary erspective View showing a somewhat modi ed form of a paratus orapplyingthe stripe or band esi to the convex moulding of a'bod panel. ig. 11' is a detail sectional view ustrat- 'ing one of the presser rolls of Fig., 10 and as sociated parte.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a somewhat modilied orm of apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the Construction shown in F i 12.

Before explainng in detail the present invention, and the method or mode of operation embodied therein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of Construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of descrption and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended or the requirements of the prior art.

In accordance with the preferred manner of carrying out the invention, the particular' stripe or band design, such for example as illustrated in F igs. 4 and 5, which is to be applied to the painted body or body panel is preferably carried on a relatively thin tape or strip which may be wound in a r'oll or on a reel. The material of the tape or strip is preferably of a cellulose base similar to the lacquer or "duco employed at the present time for painting automobile bodies or the steel body panels on the interior of pullman cars. Hydro-cellulose may be used and the strip prior to the application of the design thereto is preferably very thin, flexible, transparent or colorless and weatherproof. The design is painted or stencilled on the strip or tape by suitable mechanism, employing preferably a lacquer or ducosuch as used on the body. This desi may also be formed in the body of the strp as a homogeneous part thereof. Any design may be produced in this way, and as shown in F igure 4, the margins and intermediate portions of the tape may remain uncolored or transparent, or the entire strip ma be painted in suitable designs and color com inations rendering the entire strip opaque, as shown in F ig. 5.

The tape, where wound in a reel, is applied directly to the metal panel of the body by progressively unwinding and treating it so that it will adhere permanently to the surface of the metal body panel. The panel in accordance with present practice is covered with a finishing coating of lacquer or duco and the tape may be treated on one face thereof,

either as it is applied to the body or just prior thereto, so that when it is progressively pressed onto the body it will fuse, blend or merge with the paint on the body leaving only the design on the strip visible, which would of course ordinarily include a color or colors contrasting with the body colors. In using a strip of cellulose base I prefer to treat it wth acetone which has a solvent action on so that when pressed onto the body it will adhere thereto and. fuse or Weld with the body paint resulting in melting or merging of the stri and body paint so that the joint is practica ly invisible. Hence the colored design alone on the tape would be visible on the body. In accordance with the second method the body may be first moistened with the solvent or adhesive fluid along a predetermined line and the strip applied progressively thereto with the result as above described. Where a tape or strip of other material is employed, it may be treated in substantially the same manner with a suitable adhesive fluid or substance and progressively pressed on the body, or a heating element may be employed to act on the tape, so that when pressed on the body it will adhere thereto, and this operation followed up with the application of a coat of transparent duco or lacquer over the tape to render it waterproof.

a In the drawings I have illustrated an apparatus by means of which the method of the present invention may be carried out, which is illustrated in connection with the application of the stripe or band design to an automobile body. `Figs. 1 to 3 'inclusive and 6 to 9 inclusive illustrate the application of the design-carrying tape or band on a line parallel to or spaced from the belt line molding M of the body panel B. Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate the apparatus as modified for the purpose of app ying the tape directly to the convex molding M. In these figures the apparatus is constructed so that the strip may be moistened just prior to pressing it along the molding or other predetermned line. Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate a modification in which the strip may be treated to adhere it to the body byfirst moistening the body, and after applying the tape a follower brush applies a covering coat of transparent duco or lacquer. v

Referring to Fig. 1 the device includes a frame 20 which may be inexpensiv ely formed as a single casting having a handle 21. The central part of the frame is flat to support the tape roll 22, the tape being Wound on a central hollow spool 23 adapted to be slipped over a cylindrical stud 24 and revolve thereon. This stud has a small threaded end 24a screwed into a tapped hole in the frame, and between the shoulder of the stud and the flat face of the frame is clamped a stationary supporting disk 25. After the tape roll is in place an upper disk 26 is fixed on the stud,

sguare center" bole fittih this'disk having a the. stud, an

over a squa porton 27 on the disk 26 is held in, position by a knurled nut '28 screwed onto the, redced threaded end 246. of the stud. In this way the roll 22 will revolve,

contain 'the mostenmg' fluid or substance. in employing a cellulose strip, I prefer to I employ acetone as a moistening fluid which callydisposed,

will acton the unpainted face of the strip as a solvent enabling the strip 'to be pressed on and 'iused with the body lacquer.

Extending -rom the tank 30 is a tube 31 having a central duct 32 (see Fig. 7) leading from the reservoir. The' flow of fluid is by gravity through the duct and is regulatd by a rotatable valve 33 by whichthe passage may also be closed. The'valve is operated by a i' knurled disk 33a by which it may be turned.

The tube 31 leads to an applicator 34, verticomprising achamber screwed onto the end of the tube and carrying a por- I `ous applicator pad or sponge 34&

' The tank 30 is mounted to rotate 'for .the

I purposes of adjustment on the flat ledge 290,

iti

' the bracket 36 are 'each of the I the ledge 29a 'and' bracket. The set screw 30@ centrally of the tank forms a pivot about which the tani( may b'e turned in order to adjust the position ofthe pad ?Aa relative to the strip. The tank is held in adjusted position by means of a set screw 30?) extending through projecting into' an arcuate guide slot 291 concentric with the centre screw 30a. v r

At the front of the device the'frame is provided with a pair of spaced orked brackets 35 and 36 between the foris 3511 and 36a of which are revolubly mounted 'a pair of 'pressing and applicator rolls 37 and' 38 respectivel The leading roll 37 is shown of smaller size than the ollower roll 38, and the supporting brackets' 35 and 136 are correspondingly .cal. Referrng to slotted at 39 to receive base 41. Between the parts 41 is located the roll 38 which is carried by a spindle 42 extending freely through holes in the blocks and held in position by cotter pins 4:3. 'Springs 4:4 act against the blochs 40 whereby the roll 38 will yield against the action of these springs. The roll 37 is yieldingly mounted in the same manner as the roll 38,

and each roll is preferably composed of relatively soft rubber so as to compress somewhat a when the strip is unwound,' relativeto the disks 25 and 26, and the projecting a bracket 29 and adapted tostraddle the mol g and of dierent size, the mounting of therolls however being preferably identiy Fig. 3 the iorks 36a of I when pressingthe strip against the metal *bod panel; `T e. 'device ;is provided with guiding means whereby 'it may be guided in a re determined path and the strip applied a ong apredetermined line; stance the. guides are especially'adapted for cooperation with this in *View I have provided two spaced adjustable into "difierent stions,

In the present 1nthe molding M, and with guide along opposite edges thereof and at v -longitudinally spaced points.

The frame 20 s provided intermediate the brackets 35 and 36 with a boss &5 (See Figs. 1, 2 and 6) having a vertical hole through which slidingly extends a rod 46 terminating in asquare block 47 having a 'square hole to receive an adjustable squared socket mem-. ber 48 which is held in adjusted position by a set screw 49 (Figs. 2 and 50' (Figs; 2, 6 and 9) which acts against a compression spring 51 within the opposite end of the socket member, the guide bar being controlled bya pin and slot connection 52.

-The guide bar carries at it's end a guide 53 comprising an arched rod; terminating in ball tips 53a straddling the inolding M; 'The 6). The member 48-is drilled to receive a slidable guide bar in the manner shown. The end of the rod is thus insertable through the hole at the top or bottom of the boss 4:5. i

The frame 20 is provided with an exten- 'sion 56 terminating in a boss 57 .through which extends a 'vertical hole slidingly receiving rod 58 terminating in a square block 59 having a horizontal square hole to receive an adjustable socket' member 60 held in ad:- justed position with respect to the block 59 by a set screw '61. -The socket member 60 carriesa spring controlled slidable guide bar 62 mounted in the same manner as the guide bar' 50. The bar 62 carries at its end'an arched rod 63 terminating in this instance in ring tips 64 straddling the molding M. The rod 58 has a vertical groove or keyway 65 intowhich projects the end of a set screw 66 by means of which the rodmay be held in vertically adjusted position. As in the case of the guide 53, the guide 63 and its supa stripe along. the underside of the mold ing M.

The strip S as it passes from the roll 22 is threaded through a guide 67 carried by the bracket 28 and also through a guide 68 carried by the OI'kS 35a and thence passes partporting parts may be inverted when applying ly around and underneath th'e presser roll 37. i

The path of the strip S between the loop guides 67 and 68 is such as to carry the bottom face of the strip into contact with the moistening pad 3406, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 6. The strip also passes between the knives of a cutter or snipping mechanism located preferably directly in a dvance of the roll 37,

which mechanism may be actuated at any time to cut the strip at the completion of a stri ing operation.

e cutter mechanism comprises a fixedi between the ends of the knife bar and the brackets, and the ends of the rods are-upset and Secured to angles 74 connected by a vertical rod 75. This rod has a lost moti on connection midway its length with the "Z shaped arm 76 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 77 to the underside of the frame. The other arm 78 of the lever has a slotted `articulated connection with a link 79 (Figs. 2 and 6). The rear end of this link is pivoted to the upper end of an arm 80 fixed to a rock shaft or spindle 81 to which is pinned a trigger 82 actng against a leaf spring 83. From the foregoing it' will be seen that the opera tor, while graspin' the handle 21, can press the trigger 82 resu ting in m'oving the knife 70 against the action of the sprin s 73 into cooperation with the stationary nife 69 thereby ctting the strip S.

Referring to F igs. 10 and 11, the device illustrated in these views is similar in most respects to the construction described above,- with the exception that the 'rolls 84 and 85 are provided with concave pressing faces adapted to conform to the convex face of the moldin M, whereby the strip or ta' e may be apped directly to the molding. n this instance, the guide socket member 60 is adv justable within a uare hole in a block 86 Secured to the end o the frame extension 56. This member is held in adjusted position by a set screw 87. In the construction of the front guide, in this embodiment, the frame has an extension 88 drilled to receive the guide bar 50 which slides within the socket member or extension 88 against the action of a spring, as shown in F ig. 11. v

In the construction shown in Figs. 12 and 13 the strip or tape is treated by applying the moistening material, such tas a solvent fluid or adhesive substance, to the body panel in advance of the application of the tape or strip and in the path thereof; After the strip or tape has been applied' to the body, it may be covered by a coating ofpaint or lacquer, this being preferable where it is necesaeoaece v s'ary to protect the strip or tape and render it waterproof or weathe root. Inconnection with this form of the nvention, the foregoing is'accomplished b applying adhesive fluid by means of a lea ing brush or applicator D to the lacquered or painted ody panel, and after the strip is applied, it may be coated with transparent duco or lacquer by means of a follower brushvor applicator E.

The tani-z 30 is dis ensed with in the construction shown in igs. 12 and 13 and instead thereof two tanks 89 are provided at opposite sides 'of the reel or tape roll, each having preferably the same constructiom Each tenk 89 is mounted in a bracket 91 carried by an ,extension 90 of the frame. The tank is mounted on top of the bracket to turn on an eccentrcally located stud or set screw 92, so that when the tenk is revolved about the stud 92 as a'centre it will Swing toward and from the body panel, thereby providing an' adjustment for the applicator D or E. E'achtank 89 is held in adjusted position by means of a set screw 94 which extends up through an arcuate slot 93 formed in the topof the bracket 91. The manner of mounting the tank 89 is similar to that shown in connection with the tank 30 with the eX- ception that in this instance the tank revolves about an eccentric axis thereby enabling the applicator D or 'Eto be moved toward or from the body panelling.

Extending from each tank 89 is a tube 95 having a passage therethrough communicating with the interier of the tank or reservoir 89 so that fluid may be fed by gravity through the tube 95 to a brush 97. The flow of fluid may be regulated or shut ofi `by means of a valve' controlled by a thumb screw 96, the Valve -in this instance being identical with the valve 336 in Fig. 7.

With the exception of the foregoing construction, the devicein Figs. 12 and 13 is substantially identical With the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, so that a further detailed description of this apparatus illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 is not deemed necessary.

When using the device or apparatus illustrated particularly in F igs. 1 and 6, the work- 'man threads the tape or strip S through the guides 67 and 68, and pulls ofi from the roll avlength .of tape suf'icent to commence the stripi'ng o eration.` The'tape end is moistened ont e under face thereof 'and may-be pressed by theworkman onto the body at the starting point with his finger. With the guides 63 and 50 ad'usted and positioned in proper relation to t e body, such as in the manner shown in Fig. 1, the workman grasps' the handle 21 and moves the device along the body toward the right in Fig. 1. This operation results in drawing the tape or strip S progressively from the roll 22. As the strip passes across the tapered face of the sponge or pad 34a, it is moistened, and is initially applied to the body by means of the spring pressed roll 37. A final pressng operation s accomplished by the follower roll 38'. The desired pressure of these rolls is obtained by the operator and this is regulated by the spring mounting of the rolls permitting them to yield and thereby apply the tape or strp in a satisactory manner. It will be noted that the device in the present instance is guided by means of two spaced sets of guides, each set straddling the convex molding or rb M so that it is impossible for the device `to get out oi' alinement through the carelessness of the workman. When the workman reaches the end of the panel, or line to be striped, he presses the trigger 82 and outs the strip by means of the cooperating knives 69 and 70. The end of the strip may be pressed onto the bod by hand or by movin the device for-war ly and pressing it on y the rolls 3? and 38 after the strip has been cut.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. lO and 11 is substantially the same as the foregoing with the exception that the presser rolls 84 and 85 are provided with concave pressing faces adapted to fit over the convex moldng or rib M and apply the tape directly to the molding. In this instance the guides are also adjusted to straddle the molding at spaced points longitudinally of the molding thereby insuring proper positioning of the strip or band design as the device is moved over the body. n

In the operation of the structure shown in Figa 12 and 13, the tape or strip is drawn from the roll 22 and applied to the body panel by means of the presser rolls 37 and 38 in the same manner asdescribed above. In this instance, however, the leading brush 97 applies a solvent or adhesive fiuid directl to the bed panel in advance of the tape and in the pati-i thereof, and in this manner the tape when pressed progressively along the moistened surface will adhere closely to the body. After the tape has been applied by the rolls 3? and 38 a follower brush 97 is adapted to apply a coating of transparent lacquer or duco or any other waterproofing material over the tape or strip.

What ll claim is:

`l. The process of appl ing a stripe or band design to a painted bo y which consists in forming a strip of thin cellulose derivative with a predetermined color stripe or design, treating said strip and pressing it against `the body to weld the strip and body paint lbeing the design or strpe visible-on the y- 2. The process of applying a stripe or band design to a body panel or panele having a coating of paint or lacquer, which consists in treating with a solvent one face of a' strip .of cellulose derivative carrying a visibledesi on the other face and pressing said strp against the body to cause a union between the strip and body coating while leaving the design or stripe on the stri visible.

3. ll`he method of formng a stripe or band design on a body having a surface coating of paint or lacquer which consists in applying to the body a thin fi'exible strip of soluble transparent cellulose derivative having a visible preformed design, drawing the stripprogressively from a source, pressing the strip progressively in a predetermined path against the body, moistening or treating the strip to cause it to unite with the y paint, and applying a transparent coating over the strip.

4. The process of forming a stripe or band design on a body panel or panels having a coatng of paint or lacquer, which consists in forming a stripe or design on a flexible transparent strip, applying the strip under pressure to the body while treating one iace of the strip with a solvent fluid to cau@ the strip to unite with the body coating leaving only the stripe or design visible.

5. The method of formin stripes or band designs on the painted sur ace of an automoble body, which consists in supporting a roll made up of a strip of soluble transparent cellulose derivative carrying a preformed color design, drawing the strip progressively from the roll and applying it progressively to the body while introducing a substanca between the stri and body capable of uniting the strip and aint.

6. The process o torming colored stripes or band designs on the painted surface of an automobile bed which consists in torxning a length of a thn normally transparent strip of cellulose derivative with a color design,

ressin the strip progressively along the ody w ile introducng between the strip and body a solvent fluid capable of welding the strip and body paint leaving the color design visible e 7. Theprocess of applying a design to a body havng a coating of paint, which comvprises applying to the body a strip composed of a soluble material having a pre-formed external design, and introducng between the strip and body a fluid capable of substantially dissolving the entire strp into the body paint while leaving the design visible.

8. The process of applying a design to a body havin a coating of paint, composed of a cellulose erivative base, whch comprses' applyin tothe body a thin sheet also composed o a cellulose derivative base and having a pre-formed external design, and introducing between the sheet and body a solvent fluid ca able of substantially dissolving the entire s eet into the body paint while leaving th visible. f l d eprocesso ap 'n a esgn' tea body havin a coating di? ai t, composed of a cellulose erivative base, whch comprisei applyn to the body a thin sheet also com-` posed o a cellulose derivative base and havng a, pre-formed design, and introducing between the sheet and bod a solvent fluid capable of substantially issolving the entre sheetinto the body paint leaving the design visible.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ERNESTO J. HOYOS. 

